DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAM TO ANALYSE VARIABLES

1The Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research in Cordoba (SPAIN) 2Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA) (SPAIN) 3Pharmacology Department, University of Granada (SPAIN)

Nowadays, computers are the key tool for data processing and storage, and this is true, for instance, for students of biology, chemistry or pharmacy, who have lots of data derived from their laboratory tests. However, computer skills in this student profile are likely to be more limited and search and representation of the variables should not been delayed or affected by a lack of computer knowledge.

In this regard, we could look for interactions between students of different degrees in order to improve this situation. Thus, engineering students could help in the design of programs in which you only have to decide the variables to represent. This would give students from different degrees the opportunity to learn and become familiar with other fields. Equally important, this process will provide participants a chance for personal and professional enrichment.

The objectives of the class are to define the best methodology to carry out the program for the representation of each variable and to check the knowledge acquired by all students. With this aim, the class could be divided into groups of 3 students. Ideally, every group should include one biology student, one engineer student and one pharmacy student. Firstly, they have to discuss all variables, which have been achieved in previous subjects by biology and pharmacy students. Secondly, they have to decide which variables they have to represent and to select the filter method to delete the errors. Finally, they choose how to design the program, which is carried out by the engineer student.

With our experience, we conclude that the interaction between students of different degrees provide practical knowledge and skills, while contributing to the acquisition of personal and professional attributes which will benefit the development of new science and technology in the future. Given its simplicity and low cost, it constitutes also a good method to introduce graduate students to work in team.